Hi, I'm Tom. I am from the UK but based with work in Singapore at the moment. Last year I bought my Pantera and suffered engine failure after my first 15 miles of driving. After researching many options and from the excellent advice on here, I have decided to go down the route of having the original engine rebuilt. I thought it might be of some use to people here to post as we go and I would REALLY value your input.
PRESENT ENGINE
Present engine is a Q-code 351 Cleveland that was rebuilt 25 years ago with "performance parts from the US" and then the car was put into a static private collection. When I bought the car, it ran very poorly, the first dyno only producing 110bhp. Yes, 110! Upon investigation we then switched the incorrect carb for the correct four barrel and did the attached Dyno run (no laughing please!!):
Engine Power: 177 bhp @ 4845 rpm
Wheel Power: 148 bhp @ 4845 rpm
Torque: 243 lbsft @ 2752 rpm
Very disappointing and the Torque curve hits 2700rpm and then plummets down to 140 lbsft within just 1000rpm. The engine is running Hall Pantera 180 Degree Headers and a 'Dogbone (?)' air intake.
NEW ENGINE
Having looked at Windsor engines, Clev'or engines, Stroked engines, the decision has been made to work with what we have and rebuild the current engine. This also helps from an originality point of view. The aim is to have a street engine that revs high without having too lumpy an idle. I am looking for torque but consistent smooth torque across the rev range. At the end of the day, if we end up with around 400 bhp and 400 lbsft then I'll be absolutely overjoyed.
The engine is with Wren Classics in the UK and I have already handed them George's excellent tome "Guidance for 351C engine building". I am also utilising the advisory services of Roger Brotton at Threepointfour.
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